Information for Parents
Scoil Naomh Eoin Baiste, Buachaillí Sinsearacha
Belgrove is a National School under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, which supports and upholds the Catholic Ethos. Belgrove Senior Boys’ School caters for boys from third class up to sixth class. Currently we have 345 pupils on the roll and a staff of 17 teachers. Our pupil intake is mainly from Belgrove Junior Boys’ School and the surrounding catchment area of Clontarf. The school consists of the main building which has 10 classrooms, a staff room, a computer room and principal’s office. Outside the main building are 5 prefabs, 2 of which were received in the summer of 2009. These are used as classrooms, learning support rooms and a library.
Mission Statement
At Scoil Naomh Eoin Baiste, Buachaillí Sinsearacha, our aim is to provide a safe and caring environment in which each child can achieve his full potential, academically, socially and spiritually.
The school aims to:
Develop a caring, safe and positive school environment that encourages a strong sense of belonging and where the rights and responsibilities of individuals are recognised and respected.
Foster positive relationships between members of the school community.
Develop a clear set of rules, policies and procedures that protect the rights of individuals and resolve conflict in a positive manner.
Make students accountable for their own behaviour, and to implement fair but effective consequences for misbehaviour which encourage students to recognise the rights of others and to be aware of their own responsibilities.
Provide a support services infrastructure to support staff in managing student behaviour and in other areas of need.
Develop strong links with parents to keep them informed of their child’s progress.
Head Lice
Please check your child’s hair regularly for outbreaks of Head Lice. If there is an outbreak of head lice in a class, all parents of pupils in that class will be informed by note, and asked to take immediate action to treat infestation.
back to top
Parking
In the interest of health and safety of our schoolchildren the Board of Management requests parents/guardians to park safely in the vicinity of the school. Parking outside the school is extremely limited. The Board of Management is not responsible for traffic management outside the school gates. We do however respond promptly to any breaches of child safety and any traffic infringement on entry and exit to the school grounds. Parents/Guardians are asked to make child safety a number one priority. Park sensibly and put children before vehicles and proximity parking. We would ask parents/guardians to please leave Vernon Court for those who must use it. Cars are regularly parked in front of the gate when children are exiting; this is irresponsible and creates a real danger for children.
We take this opportunity to remind drivers that:
Parking is not allowed in front of main gate.
It is not permitted to block the gateways of neighbouring houses.
It is an offence to park on double yellow lines.
Parents are also requested to move on from the vicinity of the school area promptly in the mornings to facilitate other cars arriving. It is very important that everybody co-operates in this area to ensure that accidents are avoided.
Please inform your childminders of same.
back to top
Homework Tips
Homework is a very important part of your child’s education, as it reinforces the work that has been done in school that day.
Written homework should be presented in a neat and legible fashion. Each pupil should strive to do his homework assignments to the best of his ability.
Parents should sign the homework journal / copy nightly to confirm that all homework has been completed by the child. If a child is regularly having difficulty with homework, or is spending too much time at it, please contact the class teacher.
Due regard should also be given to oral homework, and, in particular, children should be encouraged to read as widely and as often as possible. Children in all classes will benefit greatly from reading aloud to their parents / guardians, and from being read to by their parents.
Guidelines for helping your child with homework
1) Decide on a suitable time when homework should be done and insist on it being done at that time.
2) When homework is being done, remove distractions, as far as possible without undue disruption to the home / household.
3) Show an interest in your child’s work. Children try harder if they feel that their parents are interested in what they are doing.
4) Ensure that books and copies are kept clean and tidy.
5) If, for any reason, your child is unable to do his homework, please inform the class teacher.
back to top
Mobile Phone Usage
All children must have their phones turned off during school hours. They have permission to turn them on when they leave the school premises. If you urgently need to contact your child during school hours please phone the school secretary.
back to top
Attendance
It is very important that children be regular in their attendance at school. School attendance is monitored by the Education Welfare Board and the school is required, by law, to keep the Welfare Board informed of concerns about attendance and the names of all children who exceed 20 absences (Education Welfare Act 2000). Good attendance positively impacts on school progress – put simply, time lost is never recovered.
If a child is absent from school, a written note from parent(s) / guardian(s) should be brought in on the day the child returns – unless the parent/guardian calls to the school in person. If a child has to leave school early, or to be absent for a part of the day, a written note should be given to the class teacher. If a note is not given, the child will not be allowed to leave the school unless the parent/guardian calls to the school for the child, or the parent/guardian phones the school.
back to top
Opening and Closing Times
Pupils must be on time for school every day. School opens to receive pupils at 8.30 a.m. No responsibility is accepted for pupils who arrive before this time. Classes commence at 8.55 a.m. and finish at 2.20 p.m. No responsibility is accepted for children left on school premises after this time, unless they are engaged in a school related activity. Please ensure that your child is on time so that he may avail fully of all tuition time, and not cause disruption to other pupils by arriving late.
Pupils should respect and follow the directions of the teacher on duty at all times.
back to top
Staff Meetings
Staff meetings are held once a month.School does not close early on that day. The boys are dismissed at the usual time ie 2 20pm.
back to top
School Closure
In accordance with Rule 125.3 of the Rules of National Schools, a school shall not be closed for any purpose without the prior permission of the Board of Management, The school may be closed for the following reasons:-
1. School Vacations, Public and Religious Holidays
2. Elections/Referenda
3. In the interest of Public Health
4. Exceptional circumstances
back to top
Lunch Times
There is a short break at 10.30 am and 10.45am and weather permitting, children go to the yard. Lunch break is from 11.40am and 12.40pm respectively. Children eat their lunch and then go to the yard for playtime. Food and drink are not allowed in the yard. Children are encouraged to eat a healthy lunch. A copy of our Healthy Eating Policy can be accessed on our school website under parent information. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated. All lunch box waste will be taken home by the children in their lunch box.
Requests to remain indoors at break times should only be made in exceptional circumstances. These requests must be made in writing to the class teacher.
Children may not re-enter the school building during the breaks without the permission of a teacher on yard duty.
back to top
Lunch Box Tips
Our dietary guidelines tell us about the five food groups and how much food we should eat from each group to be healthy. This also applies to healthy lunchboxes.
Each day, try to choose:
• A variety of starchy foods like rice, pasta and breads
• One or more portions of fruit and vegetables
• One portion of dairy foods like milk, cheese or yoghurt
• Small amounts of deli meats, fish like tuna or salmon, or vegetarian options.
Remember: -
• Include a small carton of milk, bottle of water or pure, unsweetened fruit juice (instead of juice drinks or fizzy pops) with your lunch.
• It’s OK to have one treat food like crisps, chocolate, cake, biscuits or sweets every now and again for lunch, just not every day. These foods give you too much sugar or fat.
Boys are encouraged to bring in bottles of water to drink throughout the day to ensure they are adequately hydrated. Boys should bring as much water as required as they will be unable to use the drinking fountain to refill their bottles/containers of water.
Click here to view more lunch box information.
School Uniform
The school uniform consists of a red V-neck jumper displaying the school crest, grey trousers, white or grey shirt and a red tie with a grey stripe. The tracksuit is navy and consists of a sweater (which displays the school crest) and trousers. The tracksuit must be worn with a white polo shirt. No other sporting jerseys are allowed. Both of these uniforms can be purchased in Penders on Vernon Avenue telephone number 8337534.
The school uniform must be worn by all students on all school days other than on days of PE lessons. Boys involved in after school sporting activities e.g. hurling and basketball may also wear the school tracksuit with white polo shirt also part of the uniform.
back to top
Courtesy
All pupils are expected to behave in a responsible manner, showing consideration, courtesy and respect for other pupils and adults at all times.
back to top
Personal Property
Children should have name tags on their coats and on any other property of value. Children are expected to keep their school books and copies neat and tidy. Graffiti on books and copies is not allowed.
back to top
Jack and Jill Phones for Boards Campaign
As our school has collected over 500 mobile phones, we will shortly receive a new interactive whiteboard and projector (value approx. €3,500). In the raffle for the jersey, the winner was Declan Adamson, who chose the new Dublin kit. There are some excellent photos in the Photo Gallery Section (Mobile Phone Appeal) of Declan and of all the phones laid out in the school yard in the shape of 500.
We are continuing to collect old phones. The Jack and Jill foundation and the families they support benefit greatly from the funds raised by recycling these phones. Thanks to all who supported this worthy cause and please, keep asking!
Míle buíochas do gach duine.
back to top
